Notebook, 09/13

* Everyone I spoke to on Tuesday — head coach Larry Coker, offensive coordinator Travis Bush, offensive guard Payton Rion, to be exact — reported a significant increase in focus in UTSA’s first full practice of the week.

The lack thereof was a factor in last week’s stunner at the hands of Division III McMurry, which bounced back from the worst loss in its 88-year history to upset the Roadrunners 24-21.

I’m not sure if even improved focus will make a difference against Southern Utah (1-1), which received votes in this week’s FCS coaches poll, but it certainly can’t hurt.

* For reference, McNeese State, which the Roadrunners play on Nov. 12, was ranked No. 22 in the FCS coaches poll. In addition to Southern Utah, Sam Houston State (Oct. 1) and UC Davis (Oct. 15) also received votes.

* Apropos of nothing, fantastic article in last week’s Sports Illustrated on former UC Davis assistant Gary Patterson, who had rebuilt TCU into a national power. (Texas A&M, take notes.)

* I’ll be writing about topic in more depth in Friday’s column, but with the exception of a handful of guys who are not looking forward to making their first flight, it sounds like the Roadrunners are excited for their first road trip.

“I think it’s going to be fun, a great learning experience,” running back David Glasco II said. “We just have to have the right mentality.”

* Defensive tackle Franky Anaya has been credited for a blocked field goal in Saturday’s game after review of the film. Marlon Smith had been given initial credit. The reclassification puts barely a dent in what still ranks as a career game with four sacks, three pass deflections and nine tackles.

* Speaking of Glasco, Bush indicated that he’s separated himself from the pack at tailback even though Chris Johnson continues to be listed atop the depth chart. The distinction isn’t a big deal as the carries are being split, but Glasco actually started last week against McMurry, rushing for 50 yards and his second TD of the season.

“David does what he’s supposed to do,” Bush said. “He plays hard, he knows what he’s supposed to do and he gives you his best on every rep.”

It’s a noted contrast from Johnson, who committed a holding penalty and fumbled deep inside his own territory late in Saturday’s game. (Fortunately for him, teammate Evans Okotcha recovered.) It came after he made the mental error of taking a huge loss while trying to make something out of nothing against Northeastern State.

* Eric Soza, keep your feet light and your head on a swivel. That’s the message being preached by Bush with five freshmen starting in front of him along the offensive line. Despite being sacked only twice so far, Soza has been hurried regularly in UTSA’s first two games.

“We had some breakdowns in protection (against McMurry),” Bush said. “There are going to be times guys come free, so we’ve got to do a good job moving the pocket and getting rid of the ball. That’s just the life we live.”

* Bush has extensive experience against Southern Utah from his time at Texas State, having played against the Thunderbirds three times and coached against them four times. (The Bobcats were 3-4 in those meetings.) As such, he already knows what to expect Saturday at Eccles Coliseum (capacity: 8,500).

“Any time a Texas team comes up there,” he said, “they’re going to let the grass grow and it’s going to be about ankle deep. They play hard, especially on defense.”

* According to UTSA’s sports information department, UTSA is averaging 44,189 in two home games, nearly 18,000 more than FCS leader Appalacian State (26,415).

The largest attendance figure recorded by a future WAC foe is 20,652, by Louisiana Tech on Sept. 10. In addition to setting an modern NCAA inaugural record, UTSA’s opening crowd of 56,743 dwarfed the schools records for those five WAC opponents.

* Not sure what to make of this, as I’m 99 percent certain I saw WR Jake Wanamaker participating in today’s practice. But I’ll have to check tomorrow after Coker Chronicles tweeted that the freshman receiver was seen in a walking boot.